UX Design
Why Minimalism in UX Doesn’t Mean Removing Everything
Minimalism has become a buzzword in design over the past decade, influencing everything from websites and apps to branding. But with its popularity came a common misconception: that minimalism means removing everything until nothing is left. For junior designers, this myth can be dangerous. True minimalism is not about stripping away functionality, but about refining interfaces so every element has a purpose.
The Minimalism Misunderstanding
Minimalism in design is rooted in the idea of clarity, not emptiness. It comes from art and architecture movements where “less is more” didn’t mean “nothing at all,” but rather “only what matters.” According to Dieter Rams’ principles of good design, products should be as simple as possible but no simpler. In UX, this means removing clutter without sacrificing usability.
What Minimalism Actually Means
Purposeful Reduction
Every button, line of text, or image should serve a clear role. If it doesn’t, it risks distracting from the main task.Clarity Over Clutter
Minimalism organizes content in a way that feels calm, not barren. White space is a tool, not the goal.Focus on Essentials
Instead of removing functionality, minimalism highlights what’s truly important for the user’s journey.
Why “Remove Everything” Fails
Kills Usability: If you hide navigation or strip away affordances, users get lost. A “beautiful” interface that doesn’t work isn’t good design.
Confuses Users: Sometimes designers mistake minimalism for mystery. If users can’t figure out how to interact, they abandon the product.
Ignores Context: An app for financial analysis will need more complexity than a meditation timer. Minimalism doesn’t override the product’s purpose.
Best Practices for Meaningful Minimalism
Design with Hierarchy
Use typography, spacing, and color to guide attention rather than relying on fewer elements.Leverage Progressive Disclosure
Keep the surface simple but reveal complexity as needed. Think of Google Docs: a clean writing canvas with advanced tools hidden in menus.Use White Space Strategically
Empty space should frame content and improve readability, not leave the interface feeling unfinished.Prioritize Core Actions
Minimalism means asking: What does the user need most right now? and making that the star of the interface.
Case Study: Apple vs. Flat Minimalism
Apple’s design language is often cited as minimalist, but notice how it balances simplicity with clarity. Buttons look tappable, icons are meaningful, and information hierarchy is carefully designed. Compare that with early “flat” minimalism trends, where over-simplification led to invisible buttons and usability issues. This backlash gave rise to design evolutions like Material Design, which reintroduced shadows and depth to improve affordance.
The Designer’s Responsibility
Minimalism should never be about impressing other designers with how few elements you can use. It should be about respecting the user’s time and attention. As Nielsen Norman Group emphasizes, usability and discoverability are always more important than aesthetic minimalism.
Final Thoughts
Minimalism is not the art of subtraction—it’s the art of precision. Removing everything until nothing works is bad design. Removing the noise so the essentials shine is great design. For junior designers, the lesson is simple: don’t ask “What can I remove?” Ask, “What truly matters for the user’s success?”
Sources:
Dieter Rams, Ten Principles for Good Design
Nielsen Norman Group, Minimalism in UX Design (nngroup.com)
Google, Material Design Guidelines